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Themed on 'city, citizens, environment and development', this museum is made of five floors and a mezzanine, not only dedicated to the ambitious plans of Shanghai's urban planners, but also to Shanghai History through the Bund.
The first floor and the mezzanine are dedicated to the Bund, only witness of Shanghai's historical, cultural, social and urban changes through centuries. Its origin, its past, its development from 1843 until now are approached. Owing to photos, videos and written explanations, we discover how a small fishing village became Shanghai prosperous metropolis. Building by building, the "wai tan" (the Bund) grew. Come and see, here is Nanjing Road, Jing'An Temple, Hua Hai Road or Yu Garden hundred years ago. It is small and calm, some boats float on the Bund. Paintings and photos are here to remind us these old ghosts. There is also a pretty model of Yu Garden and some historical and cultural scenes of Shanghai, which would be nice places to visit if your boss gives you one day off.
600 m2 model of Shanghai city on the third floor (Photograph by Anne Dryvers)
The second and fifth floor will soon be staged by temporary exhibitions on culture, art, architecture and design. In the meantime, you can admire the 600 m2 model of Shanghai city on the third floor, or experience the circular-screen demonstration hall that will showcase to you the picturesque landscape of Shanghai by means of 3D animation. These brand new technologies will let you dream of the future, and then you'll walk towards the ambitious plans of Shanghai's urban planners, exposed on the fourth floor. You will find here some answers to tomorrow's stakes such as the greening, the transportation and tourism development, among others.
Why wouldn't you have a rest after such a day? On the fifth floor, you can contemplate People's Square surrounding area, while sipping a cup of tea. Or maybe you'll be more tempted of having a walk in the 100-meter-long underground "1930 Shanghai-Style Street", which you can join easily by leaving the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center (B1 floor). You'll find in this small part of Old Shanghai some bars, restaurants and shops among traditional buildings.
Audio guides in eight languages are for rent and guided tour service is available.
Address: No. 100 Renmin Avenue, Shanghai
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (Tuesday to Thursday); 9:00-18:00 (Friday to Sunday)
Tel: 021-63184477
By Anne Dryvers
Source:english.eastday.com